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On April 5 and 6, during Hong Kong Web3 Festival, BNB Chain hosted a gathering behind closed doors for its ninth season of MVB. The 16 early-stage projects selected for Season 9 of the Most Valuable Builder (MVB) Accelerator Program, a joint initiative between BNB Chain, YZi Labs, and CMC Labs, came together for an exclusive two-day off-site event.
Designed for builders, MVB brings together some of the brightest minds in Web3 to empower early-stage founders with the mentorship, resources, and support needed to fuel the next wave of blockchain innovation. As Sarah, Head of Business Development at BNB Chain emphasized, this season is all about real builders, the ones committed to turning their Web3 visions into products that will drive the industry forward to onboard the next billion users.
With a carefully curated agenda that covered everything from trading strategies to getting listed and building teams and culture, the event focused on empowering developers who are shaping the future of Web3. Below is a deeper look at the key takeaways.
Special Guest Q&A with CZ and Vitalik
One of the most memorable moments of the MVB Season 9 off-site came during a special guest appearance that brought together two of the most influential figures in the blockchain space, CZ, Founder of Binance, and Vitalik Buterin, Co-Founder of Ethereum.
With MVB Season 9 focused heavily on advancing real-world blockchain utility, having both CZ and Vitalik under one roof was a powerful nod to cross-chain collaboration and a shared vision of mass Web3 adoption. For the 16 MVB 9 projects, it was an unforgettable opportunity to hear directly from these industry leaders.
During a fireside-style Q&A, CZ and Vitalik spoke about what’s next for Web3, highlighting their shared excitement around verticals such as AI, an area that several MVB Season 9 projects are actively building in. They emphasized the need for sustainable, long-term innovation and discussed the importance of building public goods and decentralized infrastructure that can scale meaningfully over time.
They shared thoughts around the convergence of AI and crypto, and how it could improve society. CZ shared his bullish outlook on applying AI to algorithmic trading, such as MEV optimization and liquidity pattern recognition. He also discussed how he sees AI as the next-generation user interface for trading, noting how ChatGPT-style natural language execution could be combined with on-chain intent architecture for a more intuitive and efficient trading experience.
When asked about decentralized science (DeSci), CZ humorously remarked that people should focus on getting a good night’s sleep, but his perspective highlighted a pragmatic approach to emerging trends.
Vitalik focused on DAO governance and privacy-preserving AI. He emphasized how AI-powered DAO governance simulations could enhance coordination in decentralized organizations, preventing issues typically faced in DAO-style governance models.
Their discussion left a lasting impression, and as MVB 9 kicks off with a cohort of highly ambitious builders, this appearance set the tone for what the program is ultimately about: pushing boundaries, collaboration, and creating real-world change through blockchain technology.
CZ also talked about donating $10M to support Vitalik’s open-source vaccine initiative, showcasing the potential of blockchain to drive global impact.
Their discussion left a lasting impression, and as MVB 9 kicks off with a cohort of highly ambitious builders, this appearance set the tone for what the program is ultimately about: pushing boundaries, collaboration, and creating real-world change through blockchain technology.
Building Teams & Culture with Yi He, Co-Founder of Binance
A virtual keynote session with Yi He, Co-Founder of Binance, offered attendees a rare opportunity to hear directly from one of the driving forces behind Binance’s global success. Centered around the theme of Building Teams & Culture, Yi shared powerful reflections from her journey scaling one of the world’s leading blockchain companies.
She spoke about the importance of cultivating a strong culture, lessons on leadership, and building high-performing teams aligned around a shared vision. For early-stage builders, it was a chance to gain first-hand insight from a leader who has built a mission-driven organization that continues to shape the Web3 space.
Exploring the BNB Chain Ecosystem
Sarah Song, Head of BD at BNB Chain, showcased an overview of the BNB Chain ecosystem and how the MVB program fits into the broader builder journey. She emphasized BNB Chain’s commitment to long-term support for startups, from ideation to scale, and the infrastructure in place to help founders succeed, including tools, grants, and go-to-market resources.
Introduction to YZi Labs
Ella Zhang, Head of YZi Labs, introduced the company’s vision for the future, core values, and role in supporting the next generation of founders. She shared how YZi Labs is built around championing founders who are pushing boundaries at the intersection of AI, Web3, and Biotech. With a strong belief in purpose-driven innovation, Ella outlined how YZi Labs combines research-led investing with deep technical diligence and hands-on acceleration to back projects from ideation through scale.
She emphasized that YZi Labs prioritizes impact over profit, supporting teams who are building for the long term and developing real solutions that move beyond hype cycles. A key highlight of the session was YZi Labs’ investment thesis around AI, Web3, and biotech, a combination they believe will define the next wave of transformative technology. The session concluded with a Q&A, giving founders insight into the values YZi Labs looks for and how they support startups beyond capital, with the goal of delivering lasting, positive impact on both industry and society.
Finding Product-Market Fit
In a panel discussion moderated by Sarah Song, Leo Su of Apro Oracle and Wayne Zhang of Meet48 shared lessons on finding product-market fit. They broke down how founders can iterate and identify opportunities. For many early-stage builders in the room, this session was a useful insight into creating feedback loops and having a user-first outlook.
Fundraising Strategies
Alex Odagiu, Investment Director at YZi Labs, shared insights into early-stage fundraising, focusing on how founders can prepare, pitch, and close successfully. He emphasized the importance of answering key questions around team, market, product, traction, business model, tokenomics, and valuation.
Founders were advised to build a clear, well-researched fundraising plan, starting with a strong deck, a roadmap, an ideal cap table, and a list of target investors. During pitch meetings, he encouraged founders to connect their personal motivations to the project, highlight their team’s relevance, and go deep on the product. When negotiating, he urged founders to be firm but open and create momentum without overpromising. He closed by outlining typical Web3 deal structures, including equity, tokens, and hybrid models with standard vesting terms.
Web3 GTM and User Growth Flywheels
This session unpacked growth strategies tailored for Web3. Amitej Gajala of KernelDAO, Tong Pow of Hologram Labs, and Zhuling Chen of Bedrock spoke about what it takes to build and retain early users in Web3, from leveraging community-driven marketing to creating user incentives that scale. Hosted by Diana Dai from BNB Chain, the discussion offered founders a blueprint for sustainable growth across user acquisition, onboarding, and retention.
Trust Wallet: Empowering the Web3 Ecosystem
Scarlett Zhang, Business Development at Trust Wallet gave an insightful presentation on Trust Wallet’s approach to supporting Web3 developers and users. Scarlett emphasized how Trust Wallet continues to expand its offerings to ensure seamless interaction with Dapps and enhance the user experience for crypto holders.
The Role of Trading Firms
Julie Luo of GSR and Moshe Shen of Wintermute took the stage for a discussion hosted by Alex Odagiu of YZi Labs on the role trading firms play in the crypto ecosystem. Their conversation shed light on market-making, liquidity, and the importance of trading firms in maintaining a healthy market. Attendees learned about how these firms are integral in connecting institutional players with emerging crypto projects, and the evolving role they’ll continue to play as the market matures.
Leveraging CoinMarketCap for GTM
Jin Choo, Head of CMC Labs, provided attendees with practical insights on using the world’s largest cryptocurrency data platform for go-to-market strategies and getting listed. His session highlighted how startups can utilize CoinMarketCap’s audience and data-rich tools to increase visibility and grow their projects.
Networking with VCs, KOLs, and the Press
An exclusive networking opportunity connecting participants with key investors, influencers, and media representatives, designed to open doors to collaboration and exposure.
MVB 9 Projects and Demo Day
MVB 9 provided participants with the opportunity to network, connect with industry leaders, and gain insights into the future of Web3. The 16 selected projects span across sectors like AI, DeFi, DePIN, and gaming, all demonstrating potential to shape the next generation of blockchain innovation including:
AI: BitGPT, Datai Network, Echopy, Eurexa AI, Everlyn, JoJoWorld, Super Protocol, and TermiX.
DePin: XPIN.
DeSci: Stadium Science and Citadel Labs.
Gaming and Entertainment: Oneverse and TCOM Global.
Infra: Pieverse.
These projects will pitch their ideas during Demo Day on April 24. YZi Labs will then decide which top-performing projects will receive investment.
Whether you’re a founder, developer, or blockchain enthusiast, BNB Chain’s comprehensive builder support ecosystem is designed to foster innovation and drive the next generation of blockchain technology.
Stay tuned for more updates from BNB Chain as we continue to support the Web3 community and work toward our mission to onboard a billion users to Web3.
